Improvement in shackles



M. BELCHER 8v G F. PERRENOT.

Shackle.

No.- 220,117. Patented Sept. 30,1879

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WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

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N.FETERS. PHOTO LITMKJGRAPHER WASHINGTON D c UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

MELVIN A. BELGHER AND GEORGE F. PERRENOT, OF ROOKPORT, TEXAS.

IM PROVEMENT IN SHACKLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 220, 117, datedSeptember 30, 1879; application filed June 16, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MELVIN ANDERSON BELGHER and GEORGE FRANCISPERRENOT, of Rockport, in the county of Aransas and State of Texas, haveinvented a new and Improved Manacle, of which the following is aspecification.

Figure 1 represents the manacle opened,-

in g his escape.

The manacle or shackle is constructed of malleable cast-iron or othermetal, and those for the hands are made in the shape of a flat oval, asshown in the drawings, divided lengthwise in two equal parts, each partbeing hollowed out to conform to the shape of the open or partly-closedhand,- and one of the parts is provided interiorly with a boss orprojection, A, to fit the palm of the partly-closed hand; or a cross-barof iron may be substituted for this.

The neck B is made to fit closely around the wrist of the prisoner.

The two parts are hinged together on one side, and on the opposite sideare provided with a double joint, 0, similar to the hinge that serves asa lock when fastened together by a screw-bolt after the manner of theordinary hand-cut'f.

It is intended to have staples in the side of these manacles, so thatthe two hands may be chained together.

We do not confine ourselves to any particular shape of the manacle,provided they are made to cover the hand in whatever position.

The feet manacles or shackles are hollow and in the shape of a shoe tofit the feet, and fit closely around the ankle, opening on the instepwith a hinge, and fastening as do the hand-manacles, or by some othersuitable device.

The feet-manacles may be used on all con victs working in gangs in lieuof the ball and chain with greater assurance of the safe-keeping of theprisoner, while allowing him more freedom of motion. These manacles maybe provided with a staple in each heel, and secured together by a chainof convenient length, if considered necessary, though the manacle itselfis suflicient to prevent escape.

The hand-manacles of a prisoner may be chained to the foot-manacles, sothat the hands cannot be raised to strike or offer resistance.

It is obvious that the use of these would render convicts powerless tomake any rapid movement to escape.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent-- 1. The within described manacle or shackle,made in two parts, hinged together on one side and capable of beinglocked on the other, and provided with an internal boss or projection,A, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. A manacle for the human hand or foot divided longitudinally into twoequal parts, hinged together and provided with a cavity to receive thehand or foot, said cavity being graduated in size at the arm or anklepart, as and for the purpose specified.

MELVIN ANDERSON BELOHER. GEORGE FRANCIS PERRENOT.

Witnesses W. It. YARRINGTON, M. J. TERRY.

